Miley Cyrus is ready for marriage.

The 17-year-old star - who recently denied she is engaged to actor Liam Hemsworth after she was pictured wearing a ring on her engagement finger - has been joking to pals about the possibility of changing her name to match her 18-year-old boyfriend's.

A source said: "Miley's Crazy In Love with Liam, and keeps joking that Miley Hemsworth sounds so fancy and sophisticated.

"She says she can't wait to turn 18 this year so she could do whatever she wants - even marry Liam - and no one can stop her."

The 'Party in the USA' singer, whose father is 'Achy Breaky Heart' hitmaker Billy Ray Cyrus, has reportedly told her record company that she now wants to take a career break to spend more time with Liam.

The source claimed she told her record company: "I just want to enjoy my life for a while."

However, her father is warning her not to take too much time off, as she may get forgotten by the public.

He is reported to have told her: "You're only a big star for a brief amount of time, and when it's over, it's over."